featured plant

Picea pungens (blue spruce)

Plant Information:

Although most people are probably likely to prefer the name blue spruce over Colorado spruce, referring to Picea pungens by the former is a bit like calling any facial-tissue a Kleenex. Even though plain green specimens can be found in the landscape, people just seem to be more familiar with the blue “brand” of this western U.S. spruce. This shouldn’t be too surprising considering how the glaucous (silvery-blue) varieties stand out from most everything else.
The blue of the Colorado spruce comes from a waxy coating on the needles. Owners of blue spruces should be aware that application of horticultural oils to control pests will also remove this waxy coating, resulting in the loss of the blue color.
In addition to variations in color, Colorado spruce can also be found in several shapes. The classic conical form (imagine the idealized Christmas tree) is supplemented by pendulous, weeping, flat-topped, globose, and even prostrate forms. The Hoffman library has several texts illustrating the forms and discussing the cultivation of this and many other conifers. Be sure to stop in sometime to learn more!

Building Community through Gardening, Education, and Environmental Stewardship

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What's next at CGC?*

Tuesday, 1/24, 6:00pm, Seed Starting Basics for details click here.

Wish List Update

What we’ve learned:  Ask and your wish will be granted.  From our published newsletter wish list we have received the following in kind donations.  We couldn’t do what we do with out YOU.  Thank you for your thoughtfulness and generous donations.

Water filter pitcher
27 piece DeWalt set
Kroger Gift Card
Staples Gift Card
Iron
Iron/steamer
Ironing board and cover
Dish detergent
Lotion
Steam Juice extractor
Washer & Dryer combo
Truck

Recycle Paper HERE!

Our Abitibi Dumpster has a permanent location on our parking pad off of Reading Road near the main building. Please drop off your junk mail, newspapers, magazines, and cereal boxes. The CGC gets a small amount of money for the weight of the paper, but more importantly, we can make a difference in the amount of space NOT used in a landfill.

*Parking Update

The Green Learning Station Parking Lot is open and available for your parking pleasure! Remember, that parking is, also, available on the parking pads and roadways of the Civic Garden Center's Grounds and Hauck Botanic Garden.

We Dig the Civic Garden Center!

The Civic Garden Center is a non-profit horticultural resource dedicated to "building community through gardening, education and environmental stewardship".

The Civic Garden Center is an oasis in the city - eight beautifully landscaped acres open daily to visitors at no charge and located 2.5 miles from downtown Cincinnati. Volunteers donate their time to maintain the grounds, and they and others provide financial support to the organization that was founded in 1942. Find out more about us...

Our cornerstone programs - Neighborhood Gardens touch 23 communities with over 47 active gardens. Compost Kids and Summer Sprouts programs introduce young people to gardening.

The Civic Garden Center provides education and information to individuals, schools, organizations and businesses through its Horticulture Helpline, library, classes, hands-on workshops, tours, special events and outreach programs.
Gardening is a great equalizer.

Demographic and cultural barriers are non existent because people digging, getting dirty and sharing nature's beauty look pretty much the same.

Visit the Civic Garden Center, Monday through Saturday from 9:00am - 4:00pm.

Upcoming Classes

Come to a class to increase your knowledge or inspire creativity! Many new and long awaited topics are being offered... »more

Click here for our Calendar

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Volunteer Information

Over 500 strong, our volunteers accomplish what seven full-time staff members would in one year... »more

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STUCK in the Mud? Call our HORTICULTURE HELPLINE -                                   513.221-TREE

The Helpline is a cooperative effort with the Ohio State Extension Office.

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